Our Favorite 2012 Cyclocross Bikes

Raleigh Hodala Carbon SSCX - $2,200 (Frameset)

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Some ‘cross racers may think this is too nice of a bike to be a singlespeed, but I came to appreciate the Hodala SSCX for exactly that reason, even when I raced against folks on chain-driven bikes. Raleigh built the bike around the redesigned Gates CenterTrack Carbon Belt Drive System, a carbon-strand belt and cog that replaces your standard drivetrain. The weight savings are significant: The belt and two sprockets weigh less than a standard chain by itself.

The Hodala is equipped with an Enve cyclocross fork that stiffens up the front end without weighing it down. Raleigh thinned the frame’s seat stays to smooth out the stutters and flattened the underside of the top tube for comfy shouldering. Raleigh’s Direct Connect construction means that each tube is cut to fit, bonded together, and wrapped in carbon. It results in a precisely aligned frame that’s very strong and light. Our test bike weighed in at just over 15 pounds (size 53) fully dressed in Team Gates Carbon Drive livery (Raleigh also sells the SSCX as frameset). With lighter wheels and cranks, the bike could be as feathery as 12 pounds.—Selene Yeager